As the Green Bay Blizzard prepared for their Friday night game
against the Quad City Steamwheelers they knew that it was going to
be a good game with a lot of excitement, but by the time the final
gun sounded, it had become unlike anything the franchise had ever
seen before. A rock-solid performance and last-second heroics in the
form of a stout defensive stand helped the Blizzard to a thrilling
40-35 victory over their arch-nemeses in front of 6,234 rabid fans
at the Resch Center. It marks the first time in franchise history
that the Blizzard has swept their rivals in a season series.

In addition to a great game against their division foes, fans were
treated to a number of special events: the Piggly Wiggly "Stomp Out
Hunger" Food Drive was taking place as fans entered the arena; Green
Bay Packers FB Vonta Leach was the game's Honorary Captain and
flipped the coin to begin the game; the 1st Annual J.J. Keller &
Associates "High School Tug-of-War Challenge" was held at halftime,
with a very moving trophy dedication ceremony before the tournament;
the University of Wisconsin Marching Band played the National
Anthem, a rousing set at halftime, and then absolutely rocked the
house with their famed "5th Quarter" after the game; the Xavier High
School Band played from the stands during breaks in the action;
even "Mr. Pig," the loveable mascot for Piggly Wiggly, was dancing
in the stands and hanging out in the concourse with Bruiser having a
good time!

While each and every one of those events was certainly worth the
price of admission, the game was one of the most exciting contests
ever played by the Blizzard. A close battle right from the start,
the Blizzard was behind 28-20 at halftime and did not lead at any
point in the game prior to scoring their final points with only 4:46
left on the clock. Despite trailing virtually the entire game, the
Blizzard never showed any signs of panic; rather, they played like a
team that knew they were going to win.

The fans were certainly behind them. During the stretch run in the
game's final moments, every fan in the arena was on their feet,
slamming their Piggly Wiggly ThunderStix together, stomping their
feet and screaming at the top of their lungs. The deafening roar was
enough to inspire the Blizzard into the most important defensive
stand of the season. The 'Wheelers had a 1st-and-goal inside the 5-
yard-line, and on 4 consecutive plays, the Blizzard stopped them in
their tracks. The game came down to one final play, 4th-and-goal
from the 1, and the Blizzard line stoned the 'Wheelers blockers,
standing strong on the play and sealing the victory.

It marked the second week in a row that the Blizzard put together a
complete effort. QB Ronnie Gordon was efficient once again, going 12-
of-21 for 175 yards, 1 TD passing, 2 TDs rushing, and no INTs. FB/LB
Peter "The Animal" Lazare was a force on both offense and defense,
rushing for 20 yards and 2 TDs on only 5 carries, and adding a
fumble recovery, a pass defensed and 2.5 tackles, including a solo
shot on the decisive 4th down play to preserve the win. OS Brent
Holmes is still making a splash in his second game since returning
to the Blizzard, hauling in 5 receptions for 97 yards and 1 TD,
including receptions of 32 and 38 yards each.

On defense, DS David Crocker continues to deal out bone-crushing
hits at every turn, prompting the PA Announcer to proclaim each of
his shots as "hitting the shepherd," in reference to his now-famous
quote "If you strike the shepherd the sheep will scatter." Well, he
struck and the 'Wheelers scattered, to the tune of 8.5 tackles (7
solo) and a pass defensed. FB/LB Jermaine Petty also made hi
presence known by picking off a pass by Steamwheelers QB Tim Hicks
and returning it 42 yards for a TD. Petty would also add 5.5 tackles
(5 solo).

As exciting as the game was, the night's events were just as
electric. The ceremony dedicating The Bradley Williams Memorial
Trophy prior to the J.J. Keller "High School Tug-of-War Challenge"
was poignant and moving, and the tournament itself was full of
excitement and energy. The most moving part of the event came when,
after Oconto defeated Green Bay West in the Championship match, all
of the participating schools gathered around Joel and Deanna
Williams as they presented The Bradley Williams Memorial Trophy to
the victors.

Then it was showtime! The University of Wisconsin Marching Band
played a full set after the tournament, and then put on their
famous "5th Quarter" after the game. Fans were treated to a whole
string of hits, and the show ended with the traditional "When you
say `Wisconsin,' you've said it all!" chant. The Badger Band's
appearance was presented by Piggly Wiggly, who also announced after
the game the results of their "Stomp Out Hunger" Food Drive:
Blizzard fans donated more than 3,000 pounds – that's one-and-a-half
tons – of food to benefit The Salvation Army and the DePere
Christian Outreach Center.

All in all, the night was one of the biggest ever for the fourth-
year Arena Football franchise. Jim Foster, the man who created Arena
Football on the back of a manila envelope more than 20 years ago,
was at the game and congratulated Blizzard President Brian Noble
after the game for his team's showing on the field and his
franchise's successful efforts to make the game an event. The team
is back to .500 with a 4-4 record and has won their last 2 games in
dramatic fashion, and the fans are seeing top-quality football and
some great entertainment.